Arkansas law enforcement to crack down on drunken driving

Tuesday

Jun 27, 2017 at 6:01 PMJun 27, 2017 at 6:34 PM

Arkansas News Bureau

LITTLE ROCK — Arkansas law enforcement agencies will increase patrols and sobriety checkpoints Friday through July 4 during the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign, the Arkansas State Police said Tuesday.

“If you choose to drink and drive the chances are greater that you will be caught during the upcoming holiday,” Arkansas State Police Director Col. Bill Bryant said in a news release. “Making the choice to drink and drive can be deadly. It’s irresponsible behavior, and we will be out in full force to put a stop to it.”

In 2015, more than 10,250 people died in alcohol related crashes in the U.S., the agency said. The deaths accounted for nearly a third of traffic fatalities nationwide.

It is illegal in every state to drive with a blood alcohol concentration 0.08 grams per deciliter.

The Arkansas State Police issued the following recommendations:

— Designate a sober driver or plan to use public transportation to get to your destination safely.

— Call a taxi or someone who is sober to get you home. Plan a safe way home before you leave.

— If you see a drunk driver on the road, call 911.

— If you know someone who is about to drive while impaired, take their keys and help them make other arrangements to get to their destination safely.